Eszter From Stylorectic

Eszter from Vienna, Austria, has a fantastic European style.  She describes her style as "lipsticktomboy" and wears classical black with interesting twists such as military jackets and fur coats. Her favourite item of clothing is shoes and she definitely has a variety of pumps on her page ranging from electric blue heels to strappy sandals. When asked which trend she wishes would return she states that she would like "more extraordinary style for men." Mens fashion at the moment seems like could use a bit more creativity. 

When Eszter is not blogging she enjoys "watching people and animals." She paints shirts with wild colours and loves zipper detail as well as 80s vibes. Of her plaid dress below  and plaid in general she states "I have to admit that I still love it. I am searching for a longer shirt then this which I can actually wear as a dress and tights without showing coochie." Wild and inspirational her style icon is her cat which she describes as "big and beautiful." You can check out more of Eszter's style by clicking here. 

Fashion in Film - Coco Before Chanel

Infamous designer Coco Chanel is the subject matter for a new film featuring actress Audrey Tautou.  This beautiful film was shot in Paris and Normandy and the costumes were completely watched over by Karl Lagerfeld, the present designer of the Chanel house. Based on the book by Edmonde Charles-Roux the film features a french cast and has the original title of Coco Avant Chanel. Luckily for us, an english version is expected to arrive in theatres mid April with subtitles. Personally I think Tautou will be perfect for the role as she looks exactly like a younger Chanel as shown in the photos below. All around, this film looks like it will be a successful project. 

Model of the Moment - Lara Stone

Lara Stone from the Netherlands is one rebel child. At the age of 16 she was expelled from high school and sent to Paris by her mother. In 1999 she entered the Elite Model Contest and although she did not win she caught the attention of executives and they signed her to the agency anyway. In 2006 she was signed to IMG and her career took off for in that year she was featured on the cover of French Elle and French VOGUE.

Known for her unique looks, classy gap toothed intensity, and wobbly walk, she has run the runway for infamous designers such as Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, Missoni and many others. According to VOGUE she is one of the top ten models to watch and was voted Number 1 model by FashionTV. Recently she was featured on the cover i-D beside the tagline, "Yes I think I'm sexy." We at the fashion press do not disagree. 

LookBook.nu

Early in May 2008, I received an e-mail from the owners of LookBook.nu talking about their new website and inviting me to join in on the young project. Even in it's early stages, LookBook was a wicked idea where style inspiration and voting meet. Not only can you easily get feedback on your outfits but LookBook can also spread news of upcoming designers and labels. Through LookBook I have found countless interesting websites and lots of inspiration. The idea of LookBook came from the website The Sartorialist and is described by it's owners as an "international social experiment in style." Quickly spreading through the web the goal of the page is "to bring together diverse, aesthetically talented and open-minded people from around the world and showcase the best in international street fashion."

The website functions by each participant posting a "look" which is a photograph which displays their style , and, if they choose, a message talking about what their style represents. Once an outfit is posted members are free to "hype" their favourite looks and the top ones are showcased on the main page. In the early days it was amazing if the top outfit received 50 votes but the site has grown to such great heights that outfits can achieve a voting of up to 500 or 600 votes. At the moment LookBook is invite only but if any of you would like an invite send a photo of your style to leejones@thefashionpress.org. Meanwhile, check out the site by clicking here. 

a dip inside lee's closet - favourite shoes

The first time I walked down the stairs in these shoes my mother exclaimed that I was wearing nun shoes. I guess high-heeled white oxfords are the shoe of choice for our convent sisters. Nevertheless, it makes them pretty cool cats as my respect for nuns went up a notch that day. 

I passed by these purple leather mary janes in Florence and must say I've never felt such a pull to something. I'm not usually someone to go crazy over buying something, since I avoid shopping most of the time, but that day in Florence was an exception.  Note: these shoes look better whilst not flattened to oblivion by scanning techniques. 

These bright blue penny loafers have been trekked through mud, Halloween chaos, and maybe even some snow, yet my love for them comes from the fact that they have been able to stay blue. Also, I know I have done a hard days work when my socks turn blue from the dye ( ie not sweat but rather elapsed time on my feet causes inevitable friction from sock to shoe). All my shoes have gone with me to Italy, Paris, and many different life experiences. I love them all, but these are my favourite. 

diary - fall 2008

Romance Was Born

New and incredibly vibrant, Australian label Romance Was Born is art to wear. Created by Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, the line creates a mixture of elegance and MIA street style.  The design duo met while studying fashion at East Sydney Technical College  and after "a few fun-filled party nights" the pair became best friends. 

Just after graduating they were selected to attend The Fourth International Support Awards in Italy and famously turned down internships with Galliano. After starting out on their own they went on to dress a wide list of A-listers such as Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry, Lilly Allen, MIA, and The Veronicas and are well loved by the media. 

Known for their dramatic clothing, Romance Was Born was a massive hit at last years Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. What makes this label special is that the collections are interesting and unique yet definitely wearable. Also, Romance Was Born sticks to its Australian roots. As their press release states "they insist on supporting the dwindling Australian manufacturing industry and in an industry renowned for compromise and cutting corners - they never do."

With so much enthusiasm it seems that Plunkett and Sales could not go wrong. As their website states, "Romance Was Born collections are irreverent and fun loving, fabric and colour combinations are what inspire their playful outfits where sparkle, texture and bold prints jostle together in a harmonious jamboree of style. " Poking a cheeky tongue at convention you can check out more of their collection by clicking here. 

Drop Snap Street Fashion

Fascinating and incredibly unique, the street style page Drop Snap is attracting a lot of attention.  Raved about on Jane Aldridge's blog Sea of Shoes and Lulu's blog Lulu and Your Mom the site is spreading like wild fire. As Aldridge states "It's the only site where I can find girls using teddy bears as outfit accessories, boys wearing orange fur trimmed jeans, and the only street style site where the word 'chic' is rarely applicable." 

Presenting fashion that is so ugly it's cool, Drop Snap's editor-in-chief Daisuke Yokota has a defined mission for Drop Snap. As he states "Many Japanese with a sense of creativity and fashion exist here it Tokyo yet there is no media to express their art and message. Unfortunately the reality is that the medias who get the most attention never  notice these fashionable people. This is why it is time for Drop to take some action. We will introduce people who create the Tokyo culture." You can check out Drop Snap by clicking here.

Alexander Wang S/S 09

Alexander grew up in San Francisco and then moved onto New York to attend Parsons School of Design. After interning at teenVOGUE, Derek Lam, and Marc Jacobs and getting the hang of design school, he started his line in Sophomore year. Now 24, he has received top honours from the CFDA/VOGUE Fund and was nominated for the CFDA Swarovski Womens Wear Designer of the Year Award. An amazing new designer, Wang incorporates California cool with New York urban chic.

Wang has achieved so much by simply setting his mind to it. As he states "When I moved here from San Francisco, Parsons was a stepping stone, but I really believe that it's up to the individual. Before I even started school, I decided I was going to get an internship with Marc Jacobs. So I went and I got it! Then I thought, let me see what else this industry has to offer."

He describes his line as clothes people can wear. "I brought back something missing in the industry; cashmere basics, that perfect motorcycle jacket, or that little black dress. I was able to connect with my customer and it's been going really well." With an understanding that anyone can get dress up to seem glamourous, he finds that it is what one wears on their off days which is most intriguing and revealing. Sometimes a simple pair of jeans and a T shirt can be the coolest thing ever. To check out more of Alexander Wang's line click here.

to the streets - chris

He describes his style as tropical exotic and his favourite clothes include docs and animal print shirts. Raybans and scarves, fanny packs and rainbow print. "Is it so bad it's almost good?" You can see more of his style by clicking here.

Hanako Narahira

Hanako Narahira, a Londoner and graduate from Central Saint Martins, created a collection inspired by "graffiti on the Berlin wall, vivid colour, motifs, and the trace of time and people." With an emphasis on knitwear, Narahira uses bold colours to create a youthful exuberance. Nostalgic of any preschool playground, this collection demonstrates a change in texture and state of mind. 

Unemployed at the moment Narahira describes herself as a type of revolutionary. "I am a fashion designer especially interested in the possibilities of knitwear, creating something very modern, new textures and shapes, by using interesting materials and developing new techniques."  Part of the NotJustALabel project her work can be seen by clicking here.

a dip inside lee's closet - the pink dress

80's and slightly ridiculous this dress is quite short with a black high waisted belt. I wore it to my after prom in grade 12 and it was absolutely nuts in comparison to all the other classical dresses. When I first saw it I was reminded of Molly Ringwald in Pretty and Pink. So ugly it's cool... this dress is definitely a winner.

The Tel Aviv Street Walker

Yael Sloma of Tel Aviv started recording the street style of his city in March 2007. "It was after a short visit to London, when I began to understand the importance of street fashion and, more than that, the importance of documenting street fashion nowadays. I found it much more interesting than the fashion which we consume in fashion magazines. It is more free, more unique, more individual, and even more democratic."

He believes that every major city has it's own style but Sloma emphasizes that it is the colour variety which creates the uniqueness of Tel Aviv style. "In Tel Aviv it is all about the combination of colours and decades of vintage clothing. I think that it is that unique because there is an interesting atmosphere; the young culture and too hot weather." You can see more of The Tel Aviv Street Walker's work by clicking here.

MILK

Signe from Stockholm, and creator of the blog Milk, has been blogging for just over a year. Now featured on American Apparel ads in both French VOGUE and i-D magazine, she has made her mark on the fashion circuit. Yet her blogging journey started off with an odd occurrence. "I was laying at home with an concussion caused by headbanging my head into the wall while dancing on my bed. Bored and feeling creative I started Milk."

Though she has been featured on the infamous website stolkholmstreetstyle.feber.se she claims that her style is "at the moment, really boring. Everyday the same. Dr Martins, black leggings, flannel shirts and a second hand fur jacket. Comfortable, warm, and lots of black." She also claims that she has an odd obsession with aprons and while not blogging she likes "hanging out with my boyfriend or dancing with my friends at a club." Fun and mysterious you can check out more of Signe by clicking here.

Glorious Mary Katrantzou

Mary Katrantzou, a designer originating from Greece, is quickly making a name for herself in the fashion business. With bold textile prints, Katrantzou creates classic silhouettes with a youthful twist. This talented designer has much experience and education in design after starting out at the Rhode Island School of Design and eventually going on to earn her MA at Central Saint Martins. 

Katrantzou was featured in London Fashion Week with generous sponsorships for her S/S 09 collection and has been raved about on various sites such as Style.com. The mixture of space age shapes, massive faux jewelry prints, and seventies colours makes for a collection of dresses which meet every era. The culmination of all these aspects make for outfits where fine ladies lace and astronauts meet. An inspiring collection, Katrantzou's is one for the ages. 

marykatrantzou.com

to the streets - michelle

Captured in Montreal by Andrew Szeto this "not your average girly girl" demonstrates a mixture of Russian and skater chic. The fur hat, perfect for the cold Canadian weather, looks so dope with nike kicks and sequined bolero.